Harlequin Love Inspired February 2018--Box Set 2 of 2 by Carolyne Aarsen

Author:Carolyne Aarsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488090981
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

“Hey.” Jacob pretended to be affronted as he bent to Addie’s level. “Kid. I’m pretty sure we’re happy, right?”

Addie nodded.

“Then let’s leave the wedding thing in God’s hands, okay?”

Addie rolled her eyes. “I guess.”

Josie’s heart didn’t just crumble. It shattered into a million tiny, silent pieces, hearing her daughter’s wishes and dreams.

Addie wanted normal.

Addie longed for a mother, not knowing her mother stood before her.

And here was Cissy Gallagher, about to cry her eyes out because she couldn’t acknowledge her granddaughter while Addie heaped love on Jacob’s parents.

How in the world had she ever thought staying around was a good idea? Dumb, Josie. Plain dumb.

“I’ll walk down with you, if that’s all right?” Sheila motioned toward the beach. “I’d love to have some time to tuck my toes in the sand and watch the kids play.”

Josie’s mother had recovered enough to swipe a hand to her eyes and nod, but would she be all right on the beach with Jacob’s mother while Josie worked? Or would Cissy feel a sudden need to bear her heart and soul to the other woman and possibly incite a new war of northern aggression? Josie had to trust she’d keep her feelings to herself.

“I’d love to have a look around the resort, son.” Mr. Weatherly spoke up as the women and kids walked toward the hotel’s front.

“Sure.” She felt Jacob’s eyes on her, but she didn’t look up. She checked the temps on the smoker before going back inside, and when the men also moved toward the front of the expansive resort hotel, she let the tears come.

What was she doing here? Not just in the hotel, but in Grace Haven at all? Why hadn’t she run away when Addie first appeared?

Because Addie was with the wrong person, that’s why, only he might be the right person, after all. Certainly more right than the pretend father who deserted his marriage once the adoption was complete. Or the mother who lied her way through agency protocol to gain a child.

Emotions didn’t just hit her, they ransacked, and just as she decided she might pull out some chicken and give it a thorough pounding to release her aggression, her phone rang. Cruz’s name came up on the display. She drew a deep breath to gain control of her rolling emotions and answered. “Cruz. What’s up?”

“Can you talk?”

She glanced around and nodded. “Yes.”

“Adam O’Neill signed over full custody of Addie before their divorce was final. Before the six-month statute and their finalized application in front of a judge. Between what you heard from Jacob, and this proof that I’m sure Ginger never thought would be found, it’s clear that they misrepresented themselves to the agency to gain a child.”

So it was true. Jacob’s sister maneuvered her husband and her situation to adopt Addie.

“This changes things, Josie.”

Josie wasn’t so sure. “It clears things up, but what can it change, Cruz? Do I move forward out of some misplaced anger and mess up a child’s life because

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